A godly and learned exposition or commentary upon the three first chapters of the…A godly and learned exposition or commentarie vpon the three first chapters of the…

Verse 3. Thou hast suffered, and hast patience, and for my names sake hast laboured.

Here our Saviour Christ declareth how this Minister and church of Ephesus opposed themselves against false teachers after their discovery. The manner we shall see in handling the points particularly as they lie in order. Thou hast suffered, or, Thou hast borne a burden: for the word signifieth to be pressed down under a great burden. This burden was the troubles which false Apostles brought upon them after they were discovered, partly by open affliction and persecution, partly by the spreading of their heretical and schismatical doctrine. These false teachers were Ebion, Cerinthus, Marcion, and such like, who in the days of John troubled this church, as histories do show.

Here our Sauiour Christ declareth how this Minister and church of Ephesus opposed themselues against false teachers after their discouerie. The manner we shall see in handling the points particularly as they lie in order. Thou hast suffered, or, Thou hast borne a burden: for the word signifieth to be pressed downe vnder a great burden. This burden was the troubles which false Apostles brought vpon them after they were discouered, partly by open affliction and persecution, partly by the spreading of their hereticall and schismaticall doctrine. These false teachers were Ebion, Cerinthus, Marcion, and such like, who in the dayes of Iohn troubled this church, as hystories do shew.

Here we may observe, that it is Gods will, that the best churches should be troubled by wicked men and heretical teachers, who both by false doctrine and persecution become grievous burdens. This the Lord permits for weighty causes, I. That true believers may be excited more constantly to embrace the sincere doctrine of the Gospel: and therefore Jude ^(a)